Character Relationship Map: Corpse Mania

Characters

• Police Chief Zhang (played by Wang Yong) — protagonist

  Police Chief Zhang leads the investigation into the corpse-related crimes. After learning that Li Zhengyuan has been released from prison, he suspects him and sends officers to confront him. Later, Zh...

• Madame Lan (played by Tanny Tien-Ni) — supporting

  Madame Lan manages a brothel and its women, including the frequently ill Hongmei. When Li Zhengyuan asks to buy Hongmei’s freedom, Lan stresses the income Hongmei brings in; she is also implicated wit...

• Li Zhengyuan (played by Eric Chan Ga-Kei) — supporting

  Li Zhengyuan is a former prisoner whom Police Chief Zhang suspects of involvement in the corpse crimes after his release. He tries to buy Hongmei’s freedom and sells family heirlooms to raise money, a...

• Hongmei (played by Jenny Liang) — supporting

  Hongmei is a woman working at Madame Lan’s brothel who is often ill and unable to serve customers. Li Zhengyuan asks Madame Lan to sell her freedom because he wants her to have a chance to leave that...

• Beard Nine (played by Gam Biu) — supporting

  Beard Nine is connected to Madame Lan and is accused, along with her, of cheating Li Zhengyuan out of a large sum. The account also links the dispute to Li’s plan to buy the brothel and free its women...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Madame Lan → Hongmei (Professional Brothel Manager) — Madame Lan's management of the brothel conflicts with Li's attempt to buy Hongmei's freedom.

  Madame Lan manages the women who work at the brothel, including Hongmei, and points out how much income Hongmei brings in.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Police Chief Zhang → Madame Lan (Alliance Protective Investigator) — Zhang involves Madame Lan in a police plan intended to draw Li out, while she questions the operation.

  Zhang believes Li may target Madame Lan next and persuades her to stay in town as bait.

• Police Chief Zhang → Li Zhengyuan (Conflict Investigator And Suspect) — Zhang's investigation centers on Li as a suspected perpetrator, and the discovery of a dead officer at Li's home intensifies their conflict.

  Police Chief Zhang learns Li has been released from prison and suspects him of involvement in the corpse crimes; officers confront Li at home, where h...

• Madame Lan → Beard Nine (Alliance Alleged Co-Conspirators) — They are linked by the alleged scheme against Li, though the account does not provide further details of their coordination.

  The account describes a scheme involving Madame Lan and Beard Nine and says they are accused of cheating Li Zhengyuan out of a large sum.

• Li Zhengyuan → Madame Lan (Conflict Disputed Negotiation) — Their dealings combine Li's attempt to free Hongmei with an unresolved accusation of financial deception.

  Li asks Madame Lan to sell Hongmei's freedom, while the account also says Madame Lan and Beard Nine are accused of cheating him out of a large sum.

• Li Zhengyuan → Hongmei (Alliance Would-Be Liberator) — Li tries to secure Hongmei's release from the brothel, although the account does not establish whether he succeeds.

  Li Zhengyuan asks Madame Lan to buy Hongmei's freedom and says he wants her to have the chance to leave that life.

Story Analysis

A corpse-crime investigation converges with a brothel's financial and personal conflicts, culminating in a police operation that uses Madame Lan as bait.

Plot Progression

1. The House That Raises Suspicion — A mysterious man moves into a neighborhood with a frail woman, and residents notice a terrible smell. Their suspicions lead to a grisly discovery and an investigation into corpse-related crimes.
2. Hongmei's Possible Escape — Li approaches Madame Lan to buy Hongmei's freedom, but Madame Lan emphasizes the income Hongmei brings to the brothel. Li sells family heirlooms, while an account of a scheme links Madame Lan and Bear...
3. The Investigation Closes In — Zhang suspects the recently released Li and sends officers to confront him at home. Li refuses to cooperate, and the discovery of a dead officer signals that the crimes have continued.
4. The Brothel as Bait — A dead worker's body disappears, Madame Lan denies responsibility, and the brothel declines as connected people die or vanish. Zhang asks Madame Lan to stay as bait; she sends her adopted daughter awa...